Apply for CITES documents for the Caribbean Netherlands
Almost 200 species that occur in the Caribbean Netherlands fall under CITES rules. These include corals, sea turtles, iguanas, cacti, rays and birds. Do you want to import or export CITES species to or from Bonaire, Saba or Sint Eustatius? Then you need CITES documents.
Protected species Caribbean Netherlands
The rules apply to living animals and plants of CITES-species. They also apply to parts, products and derivates of these species. Many plant and animal species on the islands of the Caribbean Netherlands are also locally protected. In some cases, they are protected even more strictly than under the CITES treaty. Do you want to export species or products of species? Always check the local regulations.
Are you already familiar with the CITES rules and regulations? You can apply for CITES documents directly by sending a filled-out form to cites@rvo.nl. We issue all permits on paper. We send these to you by post.
CITES protected species
CITES species are divided into 3 different protection levels (appendices). The species on Appendix I have the strictest protection. The species on Appendix III are the least protected. Do you want to know if your species falls under the CITES rules? Then follow these steps:
1. Look up the scientific name of the species. Make sure you use its official name, instead of synonyms.
2. Go to Species+ and enter the scientific name in the search bar.
3. A species is protected when it is on an Appendix. You can see the protection level in Species+ under CITES > CITES Listing > Appendix. There is a coloured ball with a Roman numeral: I, II or III. This refers to the Appendix on which the species is listed.
Does your species fall under CITES regulations? Then read on.
Which document do you need?
Check carefully in advance which documents for import or export you need. This is different for each Appendix.
For import and export of Appendix I specimens you always need CITES-permits. You may only import or export Appendix I species for non-commercial purposes. Sometimes exemptions apply for antique objects and captive-bred animals or cultivated plants. If you are not sure which rules apply, contact us. You can find our contact details at the bottom of this page.
Import to the Caribbean Netherlands
Do you want to import a species to one of the islands of the Caribbean Netherlands? You need to apply for an import permit in advance. In addition, you need an export permit in advance from the country of export. This also applies to shipments from Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten. Is the Netherlands the country of export? Then you can also apply for the export permit with us (in Dutch).
Export and re-export from the Caribbean Netherlands
Do you want to export a species from one of the islands? Then apply for an export permit. You can only apply for an export permit if the country of import has already issued an import permit. Is the Netherlands the country of import? Then you can also apply for the import permit here (in Dutch).
In some cases, you need a re-export permit. A re-export permit is almost the same as a regular export permit. You apply for a re-export permit if the specimen was previously imported to the Caribbean Netherlands. In this case, you need a re-export permit for the export.
Import
Do you want to import species or products thereof listed on Appendix II to one of the islands of the Caribbean Netherlands? You do not need an import permit for this. You do need a (re-) export permit from the country of export. This should be issued prior to the export and must be included with the shipment. You also need an export permit for shipments from, for example, Curaçao. You can apply for this export permit at the CITES authorities of Curaçao.
Export and re-export
Do you want to export a species from the Caribbean Netherlands? Then apply for an export permit. For Appendix II species, you can apply for a re-export permit as well. You need this if a shipment has previously been imported into the Caribbean Netherlands.
Some countries also require an import permit for Appendix II. Check with the country of import whether they require an import permit. For the European Union (EU), including the Netherlands, this is required. If you want to import a specimen into the Netherlands, you need an import permit. You can apply for this with us.
Import
When importing Appendix III species to one of the islands of the Caribbean Netherlands you do not need an import permit. You do need a (re-)export permit from the country of export. This must have been issued prior to the export and must be included with the shipment.
Export and re-export
Do you want to export a species or product from one of the islands of the Caribbean Netherlands? You need an export permit for that. You can apply for those with us. For export from the Netherlands to the Caribbean Netherlands, you also need an export permit from The Netherlands. For Appendix III species, you can also request a re-export permit.
Are you sending a species or product from one of the islands of the Caribbean Netherlands to the Netherlands? You need an import notification from The Netherlands. You can apply for this with us.
For the Dutch import regulations or regulations on keeping protected species in the Netherlands, refer to Welk CITES-document heeft u nodig? (in Dutch). You must always be able to prove that you obtained the specimen legally.
Want to know more?
Do you have any questions? We are happy to help you. E-mail us at cites@rvo.nl or contact us by telephone.
- Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature
